More by
Walter

Oprah Winfrey, 62, continues her exploration of religion and spirituality in Greenleaf, airing Wednesday nights on her OWN network, about a family running a scandalous Southern megachurch. She produces and acts—as Mavis McCready, a wise and compassionate aunt—in the drama. Here are five facts you may not know about the media mogul.

1. Winfrey was named “Orpah” after a woman in the Bible’s Book of Ruth, but people mispronounced it and she became “Oprah.”

2. She has voiced several animated characters, including Gussie the Goose in Charlotte’s Web and Eudora, the mother of Princess Tiana, in The Princess and the Frog.

3. At age 17, she won the Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant.

4. She is the first black female billionaire and the world’s richest African-American woman.

5. She considers starting the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa one of her greatest accomplishments.

AMG/Parade Digital

Connect With Us

More from AMG/Parade

Our partners

Your use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance
of our User Agreement,
Privacy Policy,
Cookie Notification,
and awareness of the California Privacy Rights.
Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal
and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced,
distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used,
without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Media Group.
Ad Choices